Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-03-18
We Are too Ready to Make Prom ses TO
Oar Children Which we do Not
Garry Out,
BY MARION HARLAND.
Copyright. 1887, by the Author.
Keen Faith With Your Children.

/ KuOWltUSS Is Su pSTIOI 10 yours, we say
in effect, "you should obey US. Because
we do not deceive you, trust US without
| gainsaying."
The baby's humility Is involuntary,
| born Of weakness and conscious iguOr-
ance. He conhdes in his parents as none
| but those who are ripe for paradise ever
| learn to trust the Father VINO makes no
mistakes and never breaks a promise.
Our boys law and gospel are contained
in the teachings Of his guardians. He
LENDS equal credence to the story Of
Joseph Ia the pit and the hop-O' my
! thumb in the wood; Elisha's greedy bears
are no more and no less real than
! the Great Bear, the Middle Bear
and the Little Bear, whose bread ana
milk was devouTed by Golden Locks.
| The dear God who sees and loves him
always lives beyond the solid blue of the
| sky; the aeecy rolls of cloud collected
| in the fields of ether are Gods sheep; the
! thunder is His voice; the stars are holes
| ia the sapphire pavement to let the glory
! through. Angels are detailed 20 watch
beside Baby'S crib to keep evil spirits
away, and are ever within call to help him
to be goud-and Papa and Mamma are
always right.
The darling makes q precious hash of
sacred and tOIk lore, but his code is sim
pie and strong. He believes what those
who ought TO speak the truth teach him,
and trusts in what they engage to per-
form. Should he come TO grief, the
blame rests elsewhere than on his stead
fast little soul.
"Let boy once distrust the love or
the tenderness of his parents, aud the
last resort Of his yearnIng efftcuOns-sO
far as the world gOes--is utterly gone"
writes TX Marvel ellis heart will take
on a hard iron covering that will fast
out plenty of fire in his after contact with
the world, but it will never, never melt"
Almost as sharp is the awakening to
the knowledge that there is 8 limit to
"pspa's" ability to set wong right, that
there are sorrows from which the tender
fold of "mama's" arms cannot defend
him. From such shocks we cannot pro
teCt him, although circumstances may
aid US in postpOning the evil day. 1t is
in the power of each of us to prevent the
Cruelest disillusiOn of the many which
change his bright optimism into Cyni-
cism of type that revolts the listener
doubts OF the good faith and truthful
dealing OF those who should be his eX-
emplars in both. Lacking judg-
ment, experience and philOsOphy-the
Blessed Tree VINO remind his elders that
nothing is wholly corrupt or irreparable
the boy casts himself down among the
ruins of his temples and his gods, and
mourns IS those who have no hope. He
picks himself up by-and-by. Thank
heaven for the recuperative power of
YOUTH Our wise housewife has the
fragments OF her china cup riveted to-
1x CiH
fully to the front. But she does not trust
il with hot lea again. 1t must needs be
that Offenses come, tut woe unto him by
whom the Offense Cometh.
As the first step to this wrong, we are
too ready 10 make promises to our chill
dren. The iteration Of, INLAY do this?"
Cant do that?" patters upon the ear
of the mother until she answers meChani-
cally, often not taking in the puTpOrt of
the petition. The perpleXed stare that
answers her clumsy defense when re-
minded Of the assent she feels obliged to
revoke, "I really cid not think what l was
aging, my deaT''-ShOuid warn her that
Ihe ground is Caying under the ledge of
intalIi0ility. These clear-eyed critics Of
our walk and conversation reason long
before they can put logic into words.
"What does your mother pean when
she says. q Will see about it?'" asked
one little girl Of another.
'Why, it's most as good as yes, }" was
the careless reply. "It she does say No,
afterward, we just 20 for her, tell you"
Now, when my mother says, Il will see
about it Children ," said the first speaker,
eraveIy and slowly, sit means, 4 am too
busy now to attend to what you say. By
and by, when 1 have time to listen, will
do what is right"
"My what q fuss over little thing"
EAh! but 10y mother never goes back
on her word. When she does promise
she sticks to it. That's worth waiting for,
you know"
6 We chiIdren's requests due considera-
ton before deciding upon them. If posi-
bic and prudent say Yes" Some of US
would be ashamed did we know how the
habit Of negativing, without thought
or reason, has grown upon US. You
are the sovereign, your child the sub
Jet. Be lenIent and gracious. Why
feign TO yield grudgiDgly when there is no
hesitation in your mind? Do not be
afraid of weakening your authority by
ready aCquiesCenCe. Let the little ones
see how glad you are to make them happy.
If you seal the boon with kiss you make
compliance dou5ly graceful. When COM
pc led to deny your petitioners will COM
prehend the necessity of the refusal-that
''Mamma would say yes If she could"
The promise made, keep it religiOusly.
You injure the child when you forget or
ignore your pledge TO him, but you Go
yourself yet greater harm. From the
throng Of Illustrations of this truth that
clog my pen l have room for but one
and thai true story.
F0ur-year-old Franky's parents had
promised him drive upon q certain az
ternoon. A thunder storm kept the three
indoors, and the promise was renewed
for the first time papa could spare time
to take mamma out. The "ume" was
slow in coming, to Franky's apprehen-
sion. Day followed day, and his ears
ached vainly for hint or mention
# the promised excursion. After a week
that seemed year, the little fellow, who
had been taught 'never to tease" heard
the appointment made with his mother
for O'Clock that afternoon. Nothing
was said TO him, but secure in the prom
Use given he coaXed his nurse TO dress him
for the expedition. Hair and hands above
reproach, his straw hat on his head, he
mounted guard on the front steps, and
waited for the appearance of the buggy
and driver. Forgetful papa nodded gayly
to him as he drew up at the door, and sig
nailed to the wife looking from an upper
window. Mamma, as oblivious Of
her engagement with her boy, |
kissed him in passing, bidding hin
"be very good while she was
gone" An aunt coming up behind him
unheard, herself ignorant of the promise |